Doctors urge people not to panic

PUNE:Doctors across the city have appealed to people not to panic over the H1N1 flu,stating that the medical fraternity is not looking at it as very different fromseasonal influenza. They claim the severity of the flu increases only if thepatient has an underlying history of illness like a heart ailment ordiabetes.Comparing the mortality rate of ordinary influenza andH1N1, Anil Bhandwalkar, president, General Practitioner Association (GPA), said,"The mortality rate of both is 0.004 per cent, which means four out of 1,000patients die because of these diseases." Citing difference between the twodiseases, he said, "The infectivity in case of H1N1 flu is more than the commonflu and the complication rate is also higher. This is the reason people fear itmore than the common flu."Even the scientists at the NationalInstitute of Virology (NIV) say that the H1N1 flu is akin to seasonal flu.Mandeep Chadha, deputy director, NIV, said, "The H1N1 flu is self-resolving' andself-limiting' and so there is no need to panic."According to acity-based medical practitioner, Radheshyam Lahoti, the diagnostic symptoms ofnormal influenza and H1N1 flu are very similar. "But if diagnosed at the righttime and if proper treatment is given, the disease is curable. One death and twosevere cases in the large population of Pune is not very scary," hesaid.Devendra Shirole, former president of the state branch of theIndian Medical Association (IMA), said, "The rate of occurrence of the diseaseis also very low and so it should not be feared so much." He, however, addedthat both the rate of occurrence and mortality rate of the H1N1 flu is more thanthe normal flu.Elaborating on the similarity of both kinds of theflu, Mahesh Wayal, past-president, GPA, said, "The symptoms for both seasonalinfluenza as well as H1N1 are the same. Both viruses affect the upperrespiratory system initially. However, if proper treatment is not given, in boththe diseases, it can reach the lower respiratory system and finally causepneumonia, which can be fatal."Talking about the current panic, hesaid, "Swine flu is new and people know less about it. So, they are moreworried. Both influenzas are not very different. The occurrence of seasonalinfluenza in my clinic alone is around 1,800 during the monsoon season and theH1N1 is not much different from that. There is no need for people topanic."Another expert, Prasad Ambikar, said, "The H1N1 virus is likenormal flu. Moreover, when compared to other countries, the death rate from theflu in our country is very low. The virus can be avoided if people observe thepreventive measures efficiently. Washing hands at regular intervals, following ahealthy diet and taking proper rest is advisable."Mortality Rate 4 in thousand 4 inthousandIncidence Rate 1 in lakh 1 inthousand